MG Developers Break Ground on the Village at Coral Gables

The Village at Coral Gables is a highly anticipated residential development that just broke ground. The development pays homage to the aesthetic beauty and way of life of Seville, Spain, and carries on the legacy of the dreamer and founder of Coral Gables, George Merrick, and his vision.

This unique enclave’s construction was officially launched on Saturday, September 16th during the groundbreaking ceremony at 504 Malaga Avenue. More than 600 distinguished guests attended the event, including Coral Gables Mayor Vince Lago, Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce President Mark Trowbridge, the project’s exclusive sales partner, One Sotheby’s International Realty’s Founder and CEO Mayi de la Vega, and President Daniel de la Vega, as well as local buyers and residents.

After the groundbreaking ceremony, visitors were treated to a memorable experience at the appropriately called “The Village Harvest Festival.” Families and neighborhood residents gathered for the celebration of the fall season and the opening of The Village at Coral Gables from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event included a farmer’s market with regional artisans and entertaining carnival games like face painting and bounce houses.

The 17 parcels that make up The Village at Coral Gables will be surrounded by Segovia Street, Hernando Street, Santander Avenue, and Malaga Avenue. From chic two-bedroom flats with a study area and a balcony to attractive four-bedroom townhomes that range in size from 1,750 square feet to 3,100 square feet, the townhomes, lofts, villas, and flats will vary in style and size. The Village at Coral Gables, created by De La Guardia Victoria Architects & Urbanists, will be developed in a Mediterranean Revival-Style Architecture, including gardens, courtyards, and fountains inspired by the alcoves in the Plaza de Espaa, and be modeled after Merrick’s seven communities.

A wellness clubhouse, indoor and outdoor terrace lounges, a workout wing, a plunge pool, a library, a conference center, and high-speed Wi-Fi are just a few of the recreational amenities available to residents. These amenities redefine modern living in the historic Coral Gables neighborhood. The Village at Coral Gables provides residents with the best of South Florida life because it is located close to Downtown Coral Gables, golf courses, the Lowe’s Hotel, the Biltmore Hotel, cultural attractions, and renowned culinary establishments.

Construction is expected to be completed by 2024. If you or someone you know have an interest in purchasing at the Village of Coral Gables, please contact Lucas Lechuga via email at [email protected] or by phone at (786)247-6332.

Norman Foster’s Biophlic South Beach Office Building Project Approved by the Planning Board of Miami Beach

The proposed Alton Road office project in South Beach by developer Shvo was approved by the Planning Board of Miami Beach.

The project is being designed by Pritzker Prize winner Lord Norman Foster and the crew at Foster + Partners using a biophilic approach that was influenced by Florida’s climate and vegetation. Foster and Kobi Karp Architects are listed as the architects involved in the design.

‘The Alton’ and will rise 6 stories with 170,000 rentable square feet, 17,000 square feet of ground floor retail, and 4 luxury residential units.

The hearing before the Design Review Board will take place in October. The Alton’s construction is anticipated to start in early 2024, assuming it is permitted.

Shvo is working with Foster and architect Peter Marino on three Class-A office buildings in Miami Beach, including The Alton, that have a combined square footage of about 400,000. Together with Deutsche Finance America, the developer is committing nearly $2 billion to Miami Beach.

Monarch Alternative Capital Buys 801 Brickell Office Tower for $250 Million

The 801 Brickell office tower in Miami is being purchased by Monarch Alternative Capital and Tourmaline Capital Partners for roughly $250 million.

This 28-story building is anticipated to close in the next week. According to property records, the building was finished in 1984 and has a total square footage of 695,000 square feet, 415,000 of which are offices. The building was purchased in 2002 for $80.3 million by Nuveen, the financial division of the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America, or TIAA. Over 90% of units at 801 Brickell are leased.

Among the tenants are the bank Cassel Salpeter, the investment business Selvatra, and Swiss Re AGroup. The 7,000 square foot office will be opened in the fourth quarter by BNP Paribas Securities Corporation, a division of the European bank BNP Paribas. Komodo, a restaurant owned by Groot Hospitality, has a location at 801 Brickell as well.

Approximately 60% of the purchase price is being financed by 801 Brickell’s buyers.

Apollo Capital Management, Canadian asset management CI Financial, and private equity company Thoma Bravo are three financial institutions that have recently leased space in Brickell. Also relocating from Chicago to Brickell is billionaire Ken Griffin’s Citadel and Citadel Securities.

Since Griffin’s $286.5 million purchase of the structure at 1221 Brickell Avenue in the summer of last year, Monarch and Tourmaline’s acquisition is the largest office transaction in South Florida.

With some asking rentals over $100 per square foot, the number of tenants has driven Brickell rents to all-time highs. The 801 Brickell acquisition is partially a bet on rental growth at the tower because, according to sources, new leases are signing for over $100 per foot, which is significantly more than the rates for existing leases.

According to its website, Tourmaline is an office investment company created in 2021 that has made $3 billion in deals and has 1.4 million square feet under construction. Brandon Huffman is in charge of it.

The Citigroup Center in downtown Miami, located at 201 South Biscayne Boulevard, is likewise a property owned by Monarch and Tourmaline. The 34-story tower also has CP Group, formerly known as Crocker Partners, is listed as a co-owner.

New Tower Announced in Brickell- Calle 8

A new tower with a unique design was just announced in Brickell. The pre-application has just been submitted to Miami-Dade planners for the project Calle 8. Millennium Developments of Brickell, LLC is mentioned as the developer for this development.

The application states 464 residential units with studio to 3 bedroom floor plans with 1 penthouse available.

Floor Plan Availability:

• 252- studios
• 37- one bedrooms
• 167- two bedrooms
• 7- three bedrooms
• 1 penthouse

The plans also show a multi-level retail space as well as 467 parking spaces available on 11 levels. The Federal Aviation Administration approved a tower height of 685 feet above ground level or 699 feet above sea level in a letter that was published in May 2023. A gas station is currently on the property. Calle 8 will be designed by BMA Architects of Miami.

Related Group Tops Off on Two Tower Project in Wynwood

Wynwood Diamedix, a remarkable construction in Miami’s Wynwood Arts District, Related Group has just completed vertical construction.

There are 304 rental homes with interiors designed by ID & Design International, over 17,000 square feet of first-rate commercial space, and an impressive 63,000 square feet of first-class office space will be found in this two-tower project, which was created by Cohen Freedman Encinosa & Associates and is located at 2150 North Miami Avenue and 2115 North Miami Avenue.

Beauchamp Construction is listed as the general contractor on the project, and it is expected to be finished in September 2024.

Modern architecture and design are included in these luxury rental flats, which also provide painstakingly designed studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom floorplans. Studios range in size from 550 square feet to more than 1,400 square feet, and all come with floor-to-ceiling windows, high ceilings, walk-in closets, and other features.

Amenities:

• Rooftop pool deck
• Summer kitchens
• State of the art fitness center
• Spin rooms
• Saunas and steam rooms
• Resident-only lounge
• Round-the-clock concierge service
• Golf Simulator
• Podcast room

Wynwood, formerly a neglected industrial area, has evolved into a flourishing cultural center with art galleries, shops, restaurants, and entertainment facilities. For those who appreciate urban living with a creative edge, its convenient location just minutes from downtown Miami and South Beach makes it the best option.

Lalezarian Properties Releases Renderings for New Towers at Miami Worldcenter

The entire vision for Miami World Towers, a massive mixed-use project slated to drastically transform Block E within the 27-acre Miami Worldcenter complex in downtown Miami, has been revealed in new renderings and site plans. This project, which consists of four buildings and is expected to further transform the Miami skyline, was created by Nichols Architects with Kimley-Horn serving as the landscape architect. Miami World buildings LLC, an associate of Lalezarian Properties, is the project’s developer.

The recently released designs and images feature a 25-story North Tower, a 68-story South Tower, a 68-story West Tower, and a 557-unit East Tower, The East tower is presently under construction. It is anticipated that these new towers will add about 2,137,110 square feet of space, including 2,040 residential units, amenities, and 810 extra parking places. The four towers will produce 2,600 residential units and 3 million square feet of space. On September 20th, Miami’s Urban Development Review Board is scheduled to examine the proposal.

According to the renderings by Nichols Architects, the four-tower complex will be extremely dense and take up nearly the entire block. The facades will vary and include Miami’s first examples of many architectural styles. Tower 3, despite being significantly taller, follows the same design aesthetic as Tower 1. It has floor-to-ceiling glass windows, elegant silver aluminum frames, and glass balcony handrails that enhance the façade while subtly highlighting the superstructure’s distinctive wave-like concrete balcony slabs. This beautiful mix highlights the tower’s characteristic exterior curves, giving the impression that the edifice is moving.

On the other hand, Tower 2 introduces a series of white diagrid aluminum-clad columns for both its 25-story and 68-story tower facades, featuring diamond-shaped patterns between the columns, various chamfering edges, sections of staggered slabs, and glass curtain walls. This design is reminiscent of the Foster + Partners-designed, 46-story Hearst Tower in New York City, as well as an office tower Hines has planned for their Miami Worldcenter site.

The Miami World Towers’ units will come in a range of floor plans, with sizes from 380 to 1,286 square feet and comprising studios, one-bedroom, one-bedroom with a den, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom designs. The majority of amenities will be located on the 14th floor, while rooftop pools can be found on levels 65 and 66 of the two larger towers.

Miami World Towers, which strategically places more than 2,000 residential apartments close to a number of Metromover and Metrorail stations, adds to the city’s urban appeal by providing inhabitants with easy access to Miami’s enormous public transit system. The property includes 2,994 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor, which adds to its attraction by enhancing the streetscape and promoting a lively pedestrian environment.

Additionally, the proposal places a high priority on pedestrian connectivity by constructing a publicly accessible promenade that effortlessly directs people from NE 8th Street to the opulent lobby of Tower 2. The Miami Worldcenter Promenade is accessible to locals and guests via this lobby connection that extends to a pedestrian paseo. This ground-breaking promenade, created especially for pedestrians, connects Biscayne Boulevard and the larger Miami Worldcenter Area in a busy east-west corridor, further enhancing the project’s role in encouraging vibrant urban interactions.

Soccer Star Lionel Messi Buys Fort Lauderdale Waterfront Mansion

Lionel Messi and his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, purchased an eight-bedroom mansion in Fort Lauderdale’s Bay Colony through a business run by Messi’s money manager, Alfonso Nebot.

Messi has been sighted looking at homes from Fort Lauderdale to Boca Raton in South Florida. Messi and Roccuzzo paid $10.8 million for the house at 91 Compass Lane, which was sold by John and Stacy Dickerson. The Dickersons paid $9 million for the estate in May of last year, so when they decided to sell it, they received a 20% increase in price.

According to a 2022 listing for the house, the 0.4-acre property boasts 170 feet of waterfrontage, two docks, a waterfront pool, a gym/spa area, and an Italian kitchen. According to property records, the residence was constructed in 1988 and was expanded in 2000. The expansive primary suite covers 1,600 square feet.

Messi joined Inter Miami in July to much fanfare and has since helped the team to eight victories and four draws. The veteran Barcelona player brought home the World Cup trophy for his homeland Argentina last year. Messi will play in the second round of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers this week, thus he will be flying to Bolivia.

Between $50 million and $60 million is invested in Messi’s contract with Inter Miami, in addition to club equity and revenue-sharing arrangements with Adidas, Apple, and other businesses.

Drive Pink Stadium and Inter Miami’s nearby training facility in Fort Lauderdale are both roughly 5 miles from Messi’s residence. The team anticipates moving to Miami someday, where its owners are planning Miami Freedom Park, a sizable mixed-use project that will feature a soccer stadium on the city-owned Melreese Country Club land just east of Miami International Airport. Jorge and José Mas, brothers and businessmen from Miami, as well as David Beckham and other partners, are the team’s owners.

Additionally, Messi has three condos in Sunny Isles Beach, one of which is a property at the Porsche Design Tower, which Gil Dezer’s Dezer Development finished in late 2016.

New York Pizzeria Roberta’s Will Open at 72 Park in Miami Beach

The prestigious Miami Beach condominium 72 Park will now house the New York pizzeria, Roberta’s, a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant from co-founders Carlo Mirarchi and Brandon Hoy.

Roberta’s was founded in 2008 and initially operated out of a small Brooklyn cinder-block warehouse. The eatery swiftly rose to fame in the neighborhood and won over foodies from all over the state with its extensive menu of handmade plates and seasonal dishes made with fresh, organic produce from its rooftop garden as well as ingredients from around the world.

The developers, Leffersts, decided to open a few additional sites in New York City as a result of the success. Since then, the brand has grown internationally with a range of locations, from full-service dining to more informal concepts. Carlo Mirarchi, co-founder and chef of Roberta’s, expressed his excitement about bringing his restaurant to the thriving metropolis of Miami. “We are very excited to introduce Roberta’s to the vibrant city of Miami. The energy and diversity of Miami’s food scene resonates deeply with our commitment to providing fun and memorable dining experiences for our guests. With its rich cultural tapestry, Miami
provides the perfect canvas and 72 Park the perfect home for Roberta’s first step into the Florida market.”

Roberta’s team will bring some of their well-known style along with the restaurant. Brandon Hoy, a co-founder of Roberta, continued, “We love the neighborhood. And I can’t wait to add some Brooklyn charm to the city’s culinary scene in addition to serving this neighborhood.” 

Roberta’s will be located at 580 72nd Street and will encircle the northwest corner of 72 Park. Of the roughly 10,000 square feet of prime ground-floor retail space at 72 Park, the restaurant will take up 3,000 square feet. The 22-story tower is expected to be finished in the summer of 2024 and will provide opulent units with sizes ranging from 410 to 2,200 square feet and beginning prices of $700,000.

If you or someone you know have an interest in purchasing at 72 Park in Miami Beach, please contact Lucas Lechuga via email at [email protected] or by phone at (786)247-6332.

Chef Michael Beltran to Open 2 New Restaurants at CocoWalk

The hospitality company led by chef Michael Beltran, who already owns the Michelin-starred Ariete in Coconut Grove, will debut two restaurants inside the CocoWalk complex.

In the upcoming weeks, Ariete Hospitality Group intends to open the full-service Mediterranean restaurant Eva as well as The Oyster Bar, a speakeasy-style oyster and cocktail bar. The tiny Oyster Bar, which Beltran describes as the “perfect after-work spot,” is the first establishment to open. It offers raw bar staples and small meals.

The restaurant’s 4,100 square foot interior contains an oyster bar with solid wood benches, tables, and chairs as well as a main bar with a marble top. There is also a patio where you can eat outside.

Although there are only nine seats available, the beverage menu will be spectacular and extensive. By the end of September, the bar inside Eva is scheduled to open. A few weeks later, the more conventional Eva will debut, offering brunch in addition to happy hour and lunch and dinner.

Both inside and outside, Eva will have space for up to 139 customers. Beltran, whose hospitality group is also in charge of the Michelin-recommended Brasserie Laurel at Miami Worldcenter and The Gibson Room on Coral Way, said that he views Eva as an “any occasion” restaurant, suitable for family dinners, business lunches, or nights out with friends. It may be more laid-back than his well-known Ariete.

The restaurant should be really welcoming, and entertaining, and provide the degree of service and elegance that customers expect and deserve/ Chef Michael Beltran’s Ariete Hospitality Group’s cozy oyster bar will feature traditional raw bar fare and drinks. The oyster bar and Eva will be located at 3015 Grand Avenue in Coconut Grove.